StudyWorks! Science

Math Soft

Ages 14 and up

Like its counterpart, StudyWorks! Mathematics, this program is designed to be a homework and report helper, a tool that compliments high school and college science courses. It helps the user find the answers to science questions by providing them with the necessary scientific facts and formulas, guiding them through the mathematical equations, and even facilitating their search for outside help, when needed.

In addition, StudyWorks! Science contains a section to help students prepare to take the SAT II tests that includes test-taking strategies and advice on how to attack the different types of questions on the tests.

To keep the program current and increase its interactivity, StudyWorks! Science also includes a list of provocative web links and subject-based online reference sources, and a ‘Collaboratory’, where students can connect with other students and teachers to exchange ideas and collaborate on difficult or intriguing problems.

Educational Value

The StudyWorks! desktop features a main window from which personalized worksheets can be prepared. The Resource Center includes in-depth information about the Earth, Science & Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. It also includes Reference Tables and a searchable Science Glossary. The Math Palette is an interactive calculator which allows the user to complete computations, create graphs, type inequalities and more, and insert them into worksheets and reports.

In addition to providing the information needed to better understand concepts discussed in associated school courses, the program’s graphics help students who are having trouble visualizing more difficult concepts. Among the visual resources included are videos, animations, photos, graphs, and even sample exercises to help illustrate included concepts.

Kid Appeal

“This is very slick,” was one student’s comment when testing the program, and slick is the way homework and reports look when they’ve been created with StudyWorks! Because of this, the program has great appeal for those who place a high value on how their homework looks, and less for those who are satisfied with their own scribbles and don’t want to bother learning to use the program.

Our testers were impressed with the portion covering the SAT II tests. Unlike the SAT I tests, SAT IIs are usually taken when the student completes the associated high school course, sometimes as early as the end of freshman year. In addition to providing helpful test-taking strategies, StudyWorks! outlines the types of questions that will be asked in each test, enabling students to better prepare.

Ease of Use / Install

StudyWorks! Science installs easily on Windows 95/98. As part of the installation process it asks whether the user will want to access additional StudyWorks content on the MathSoft web site. An affirmative answer to this question initiates a search of the user’s hard drive for a compatible mail program and Internet service provider. The user’s email address is then requested for future product update information.

SuperKids recommends a thorough reading of the program’s User’s Guide to learn how to use the program to full advantage.

Best for... / Bottom-Line

StudyWorks! Science is not a replacement for science classes, and it doesn’t actually do the homework (sigh) . It is, however, an extremely handy homework tool, a word processor, calculator, and reference source in one, and as such, it is an excellent program.